Land Lease and License Agreement with the Department of Air Force for Fresno Air National Guard Base (CANG).

2025090022

City of Fresno

NOE - Notice of Exemption

9/2/2025

9/2/2025

Melissa Garza-Perry

City of Fresno, Airports Department (Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Fresno Chandler Executive Airport)

Airports Properties Manager

Lead/Public Agency

5175 E. Clinton Way
Fresno, CA 93727

(559) 621-4543

melissa.garza-perry@fresno.gov

McKinley and Peach

93727

49407178T

California

Fresno

Categorical Exemption

Section 15301, Class 1, Existing Facilities Exemption

The proposed project is exempt from the provisions of CEQA as specified by the State CEQA Guidelines sections identified below. • Section 15301 – Class 1 Existing Facilities Exemption: This categorical exemption includes the operation, repair, maintenance, leasing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures or facilities, provided the exemption only involves negligible or no expansion of the previous site’s use. The project, as proposed, is limited to an amendment to a Lease Agreement for continued use of an existing facility and would include the continued maintenance and repairs of the facility to keep the facility functional. The use of the facility by the CANG would be consistent with the current land use and would not require any expansion of public services and facilities. No exceptions to the exemption will be triggered. Cumulative impacts from similar projects over time will not be significant since the project only allows a continuation of the current use. There are no unusual circumstances associated with the project. The project will not result in damage to scenic resources. The project is not located on a hazardous waste site. The project will not cause substantial adverse changes to any historical resources. Therefore, the project is exempt as the project meets the scope and intent of the Class 1 Exemption identified in Section 15301, Article 19, Categorical Exemptions of the State CEQA Guidelines.

Other

Section 15061(b) (3), “Common Sense” Exemption

Section 15061 (b) (3) – “Common Sense” Exemption: In accordance with CEQA, the use of the Common Sense Exemption is based on the “general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.” State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061(b) (3). The use of this exemption is appropriate if “it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” Ibid. This determination is an issue of fact and if sufficient evidence exists in the record that the activity cannot have a significant effect on the environment, then the exemption applies and no further evaluation under CEQA is required. See No Oil, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles (1974) 13 Cal. 3d 68. The ruling in this case stated that if a project falls within a category exempt by administrative regulation or 'it can be seen with certainty that the activity in question will not have a significant effect on the environment', no further agency evaluation is required. With certainty, there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. The proposed Land Lease and License Agreement is limited to a contractual transaction to continue use of an existing facility. The indirect effects would be limited to continuation of the existing use and use of existing facilities at FAT. The Agreement will not result in significant direct or indirect physical environmental impacts. The use and operation of the facility will not differ from the existing use and will not create any new environmental impacts to the surrounding area. No impacts beyond the minor maintenance and continued use of the facility would occur. Therefore, in no way would the project as proposed have the potential to cause a significant environmental impact and the project is therefore exempt from further CEQA analysis.